Grace Church
FRIENDS for the Journey #7 - Deborah: Judges 4-5
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our Spring series is dealing with the theme of friendship.
We are looking at the lives of Bible characters who teach and model for us some great qualities that we should possess and seek in those who would be friends on our life journey.
An overriding principle we've learned is the importance of choosing wisely those who would be closest to us.
We are looking at the lives of Bible characters who teach and model for us some great qualities that we should possess and seek in those who would be friends on our life journey.
An overriding principle we've learned is the importance of choosing wisely those who would be closest to us.
Today we are looking at one of the more amazing women in the Bible. Her story is found in the book of Judges in the Old Testament. Her name is Deborah.
Who are some of the most amazing women you've known and why?
Spend some time talking about this with people around you. Mention the person that comes to mind but be sure to focus on their qualities.
Who are some of the most amazing women you've known and why?
Spend some time talking about this with people around you. Mention the person that comes to mind but be sure to focus on their qualities.
After Moses died, Joshua led the Hebrew people into the land of Canaan, or the Promised Land.
In the book that bears Joshua's name, we read of 3 separate military campaigns over approximately 7 years. At the end of which the land was divided up between the 12 tribes of Israel.
The time of Joshua's leadership began when he was about 85 years old and lasted nearly 25 years.
Joshua 24:29-31
In the book that bears Joshua's name, we read of 3 separate military campaigns over approximately 7 years. At the end of which the land was divided up between the 12 tribes of Israel.
The time of Joshua's leadership began when he was about 85 years old and lasted nearly 25 years.
Joshua 24:29-31
It is here that the book of Judges begins, like a sequel to Joshua.
Things quickly went bad and the selfish nature of people took over. We see a cycle of behavior that is repeated over and over.
Judges 2:10-14a, 16-19
Things quickly went bad and the selfish nature of people took over. We see a cycle of behavior that is repeated over and over.
Judges 2:10-14a, 16-19
Altogether, there was a succession of more than a dozen judges who God raised up between long periods of sinful disobedience.
This period of time lasted about 350 years and Deborah was the 4th judge.
As you read in Judges 4 and 5 you can see Deborah's effectiveness as a judge.
Judges 5:31
This period of time lasted about 350 years and Deborah was the 4th judge.
As you read in Judges 4 and 5 you can see Deborah's effectiveness as a judge.
Judges 5:31
In Judges 4 we see this cycle repeated yet again.
Judges 4:1-15
Judges 4:1-15
As we continue to read in Judges 5 we see the Lord has caused heavy rains and a combination of a flooding river, saturated marsh land, and an army sweeping down from the top of Mt. Tabor which spelled a great defeat.
Deborah is highly revered by the Jewish people.
She spoke like a prophet, she was a commander and warrior, and she was the only female judge.
When you add to this her ability as a poet, songwriter, a wife, she held court and served the people as a civic leader...Deborah fits the description of an amazing woman!
Deborah is highly revered by the Jewish people.
She spoke like a prophet, she was a commander and warrior, and she was the only female judge.
When you add to this her ability as a poet, songwriter, a wife, she held court and served the people as a civic leader...Deborah fits the description of an amazing woman!
There are numerous lessons that we can draw from the life of Deborah in Judges 4-5. This morning, we'll focus on a handful as they relate to our friends and friendship groups.
First - No matter who society says we are, God has a mission for our life.
Judges 4:4-5; Psalm 75:6-7
Judges 4:4-5; Psalm 75:6-7
Second - People who accept their place and mission in life will be used by God.
Judges 4:6
Judges 4:6
Third - Courage is required to stand up for God in a world that seeks to run you over.
Judges 4:7-9
Judges 4:7-9
Fourth - Strong relationships are built with clear communication, strong challenges, total commitment, and wholehearted care.
Fifth - Celebrate the victories and accomplishments of others.
Judges 5:1
Judges 5:1
These qualities would make us more mature in life and faith. They would be great traits in those we call friends.
But they require submission to the Lord and a choice on our part to not settle for the "comfort zone" or the "good enough syndrome" that plagues so many church and religious people.
But they require submission to the Lord and a choice on our part to not settle for the "comfort zone" or the "good enough syndrome" that plagues so many church and religious people.
YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/GraceChurchMIGiving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Grace Church Website
https://gc3.org/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://cjs-gracegc3.square.site/H.O.M.E. Groups
Do you have a Home Group? Visit the website to learn about which groups are meeting; you can sign-up for a group there as well. You can also contact the church office; we'd love to help you with this (grace@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Mentoring at Grace
There are several men and women at Grace Church who have completed the mentoring program here at Grace and are looking to invest in and share what they've learned with someone else. Have you thought about growing in your faith through the Grace Church mentoring program?
Contact the church office with any questions or to get the process started (grace@gc3.org) or you can talk with any of the staff and elders.
Contact the church office with any questions or to get the process started (grace@gc3.org) or you can talk with any of the staff and elders.
Bible Reading Plan
We hope you are taking part in the 2023 Bible Reading Plan. This also includes devotionals from Pastor Josh each week. Visit the website at the link below or find paper copies in CJ's. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://gc3.org/bible/Gracewear Shopping Link
Grace Church has a shopping link for Gracewear through Courtside Screen Printing & Embroidery. Use the link below to take a look. All questions and orders go directly through Courtside. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.
https://grace2022.itemorder.com/shop/sale/Lisa's Blog - Worship Moments
https://gc3.org/worship-moments/The Greenhouse Project
Visit The Greenhouse Project at our church website to find out what classes are being offered. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions (lisa@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/tgp/Picnic and Prayer - June 11th
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 11th!
WHAT: A picnic followed by interactive prayer activities outside on the church property.
WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: Sunday, June 11th, after the service until 2:00 pm
WHY: To celebrate the Burt family being with us! We'll pray for them as well as other ministries of Grace Church.
WHAT TO BRING: Lawn chairs or blanket to eat lunch on.
QUESTIONS? Contact the church office (grace@gc3.org)
WHAT: A picnic followed by interactive prayer activities outside on the church property.
WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: Sunday, June 11th, after the service until 2:00 pm
WHY: To celebrate the Burt family being with us! We'll pray for them as well as other ministries of Grace Church.
WHAT TO BRING: Lawn chairs or blanket to eat lunch on.
QUESTIONS? Contact the church office (grace@gc3.org)
#togethergc3
#togethergc3
Here's the deal, we want to encourage you to spend time with your Grace family over the next few months as we talk about having FRIENDS FOR THE JOURNEY.
How to participate:
Get together with people from Grace (outside of church on Sunday morning)
Take a picture of yourselves
Post the picture on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (whatever social media platform you use)
Use the hashtag #togethergc3 in the post
It will be fun to see the church in action and building relationships with one another outside of the church building! Note: if you type the hashtag into the search bar, all the posts that have been done so far using that hashtag will come up.
Need help? Just ask Lisa or Leslie.
Here's the deal, we want to encourage you to spend time with your Grace family over the next few months as we talk about having FRIENDS FOR THE JOURNEY.
How to participate:
Get together with people from Grace (outside of church on Sunday morning)
Take a picture of yourselves
Post the picture on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (whatever social media platform you use)
Use the hashtag #togethergc3 in the post
It will be fun to see the church in action and building relationships with one another outside of the church building! Note: if you type the hashtag into the search bar, all the posts that have been done so far using that hashtag will come up.
Need help? Just ask Lisa or Leslie.
Grace U Classes
Coming in June: Here's Grace - the basics of what Grace Church is all about. This is a great class for anyone who is newer to the church. Completion of Here's Grace is a requirement for membership at Grace. Here's Grace will take place on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm. S.H.A.P.E. - learning how God has uniquely created you to minister. This is a great class for anyone who hasn't taken it before. Completion of S.H.A.P.E. is a requirement for membership at Grace Church.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Annual Nashville Clean Up Day
The annual Nashville Clean Up day is coming up on June 10th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give. Each year Grace Church takes to the streets of Nashville to help the village with any tasks they may have in preparation for the Nashville Car Show which takes place on June 17th. If you have any questions about this, contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org).
Journey with Friends Road Rally
We're going to finish up our Friends for the Journey series with a fun event...a road rally!
The event is about a month away but here's what you can do now:
-Save the date on your calendar (June 24th, 5:00-8:00 pm)
-Visit the link below to learn all about the Journey with Friends Road Rally
-Sign yourself up (note: this event will be more fun if you make the journey with a group)
As always, contact the church office if you have questions (grace@gc3.org)
https://gc3.org/road-rally/Check out the wall in CJ's
We want to give everyone an opportunity to brag on their friends during our FRIENDS FOR THE JOURNEY series! Who has God put in your life to help you grow in your faith?
Find a card on the counter in CJ's, tell us a little about your friend(s), and clip it on the board - you can even add a picture of you and your friend as well.
Find a card on the counter in CJ's, tell us a little about your friend(s), and clip it on the board - you can even add a picture of you and your friend as well.
Meet and Greet
The next Meet & Greet opportunity for those who are newer to Grace Church will be today right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. We'd love to have you join us for this short time of fellowship where you can learn more about Grace Church, meet some of the staff and leadership, and have the opportunity to ask questions. We also look forward to getting to know you better.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, May 27th - Rayann Hause, Amelia Mater
Sunday, May 28th - AJ & Ashley Meehan
Monday, May 29th - Lori Orton, Sawyer Golden
Tuesday, May 30th - Richard & Nikki Yargeau
Thursday, June 1st - Colin Paul, Jasmine Bosworth, Freeman & Marilyn Coblentz, Joe & Emily Golden
Saturday, May 27th - Rayann Hause, Amelia Mater
Sunday, May 28th - AJ & Ashley Meehan
Monday, May 29th - Lori Orton, Sawyer Golden
Tuesday, May 30th - Richard & Nikki Yargeau
Thursday, June 1st - Colin Paul, Jasmine Bosworth, Freeman & Marilyn Coblentz, Joe & Emily Golden